Abstract:
The Shoot Apical Meristem (SAM) of plants is the biological
target for a mathematical modeling of developmental
systems. The full model incorporates cell growth,
proliferation and mechanical interaction, as well as a
model for the gene regulatory network (GRN). The GRN-model
includes intracellular protein interactions, and also
intercellular interactions in various forms. Also
transportation of proteins between cells are allowed for.
The resulting multicellular model framework is used for
mimicking expression domains of known genes in the SAM.

Our simulations address the widely discussed regulatory
network of the CLAVATA1, CLAVATA3 and WUSCHEL genes, which
is important for controlling the development of the SAM and
thereby the complete plant. It includes interaction between
genes expressed in non-overlapping spatial regions of the
SAM, requiring a model where information flows between
cells.

We show the applicability of the proposed model as a
helpful tool to go from current insufficient assumptions
about the interactions, to a genetic network which is able
to produce gene expression domains in-silico,
agreeing with experimental data.